Thomas Frank's Spurs show defensive steel but face midfield balancing act

Thomas Frank's first weeks in charge of Tottenham have produced a clear defensive imprint, with captain Cristian Romero singled out as the embodiment of a side built to be hard to break down after a 1-0 Champions League win over Villarreal.

Tottenham kept a clean sheet in a match in which they registered only one shot on target and survived sustained second-half pressure before a freak own goal decided the game. Frank praised the defensive foundation and togetherness that underpinned the result, saying victories in tight games can "add layers" to the team-building process.

The positive was tangible: Tottenham have conceded only once in five matches since Frank arrived from Brentford, where he prioritised defensive organisation during the club's rise. Frank has publicly credited coach Matt Wells for work on the back unit as the team has adopted a deeper defensive line and more orthodox use of full backs.

Pedro Porro, who under the previous manager often bombed forward, has been more selective about joins in attack. That approach has reduced the vulnerability that previously arose in the vacated channels behind aggressive full backs, but Spurs have also shown signs of limited fluency in possession. The goal against Villarreal was forced by Lucas Bergvall's cross and owed to a goalkeeper error by Villarreal's Luiz Junior, rather than sustained attacking dominance.

Frank faces a clear tactical choice in midfield that will shape how Tottenham perform in both domestic and European competition. He has rotated between one and two holding midfielders depending on the opponent. The pairing of a single anchor — often Rodrigo Bentancur or, when available, the more destructive Joao Palhinha — with Pape Matar Sarr in a shuttle role produces defensive solidity and ball progression. Palhinha's combative screening and Bentancur's passing have been effective in matches where Spurs expect lower possession, including in the European Super Cup encounters against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

That same combination, however, struggled in Tottenham's only league defeat so far, at Bournemouth, when the side found it difficult to play out from the back under a high press and lacked creativity in advanced areas. Frank has added new options, including Xavi Simons and Bergvall, to try to restore greater attacking imagination without sacrificing defensive protection.

Creativity from open play has been intermittent. Spurs managed only one shot on target against Villarreal and were blanked in the Bournemouth defeat, though set pieces remain a reliable source of goals. Andreas Georgson, Tottenham's set-piece coach, has been credited with improving the team's output from corners and long throws, contributing to goals in the Super Cup and the win at West Ham.

Frank has also been experimenting with flank partnerships. He described the developing understanding between Porro and Mohammed Kudus on the right as encouraging, while the combination of Djed Spence and Simons has required more time to settle. Destiny Udogie, recently fit again, is an option at left back if Frank seeks a more natural rapport with Simons on the opposite side.

Kudus has produced flashes of his ability — including two assists in a league game against Burnley — but has not consistently dominated matches. Bergvall, who scored his first Premier League goal at West Ham and supplied the cross that led to Villarreal's own goal, brings risk-taking and panache that has made him a fan favourite but also requires careful integration into the structure Frank prefers.

Frank's immediate task is to maintain the defensive platform that has given Tottenham early stability while finding the right blend of midfield protection and attacking invention. The manager's rotation of personnel and occasional switch to three centre-backs to defend leads demonstrate a willingness to prioritise results when necessary, but the balance between security and creativity will be scrutinised as the season progresses and fixtures intensify.